Crossbred cattle: Our Dexter Hereford Calves

This last crop of calves is mostly Hereford x Dexter. I show a comparison of the cross bred vs a pure bred Hereford. Surprisingly, the half dexters have averaged slightly larger than the pure bred cattle. Must be the hybrid vigor.

[@martinab3017]

🙂👍

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

That’s Daisey in this video thumbnail.

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

Even though the dexters are a small breed, in our experience the half dexter, half Hereford cattle have grown to be closer to the full size of pure Hereford cattle. Must be the hybrid vigor.

[@colmanlong1032]

Which way is the cross,dexter cow hereford bull or hereford cow dexter bull.only problem I see with dexter is they are more dairy like.A hereford out of a dexter cow should be good.

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

Hereford cows with dexter bull. They make a really nice cross. Most end up close to the Hereford size.

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

I put up a post last week with my dexter bull, he was not dairy like. But I do agree the majority of the dexter breed favors dairy breed.

[@of-Israel]

​@@stringerbridgefarm3201would it not be more efficient to run Dexter cows with a Hereford bull? I have heard that Dexter's crosswell with larger bulls without having having issues. And overall your herd would eat much less grass

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

In theory you are correct. Only thing is that it only takes 1 or 2 issues from a larger breed bull to ruin your year. These can come in the form of injured cow, stuck calves that can result in loss of calf and cow, and the stress of not knowing if you will have an issue. To me personally it’s not worth the risk, so I’ll generally use a similar sized or smaller breed bull. The dexter bull on Hereford cows was only due to us transitioning from a dexter herd to a larger breed herd. Until I sold all the dexter cows I didn’t want a larger breed bull. Right wrong or otherwise that’s my 2 cents. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@of-Israel]

@@stringerbridgefarm3201 I see what your saying, also you could get a good herd of Hereford cattle more affordable than a quality herd of Dexter. I like Dexter's but I. Many cases they haven't been bred well so you really gotta know what your buying and when you buy quality Dexter it's usually pricey, Hereford are just more plentiful.